







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| Yes, they are all around 2 pounds. | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| That's a good choice, they do great calamari here, too. | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | |
| Yes, it might be, but I'm very busy with some projects these days. | |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | |
| I'd like to one day, when they invent teleportation. | |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | |
| You are so realistic dear, where is your wedding ring? | |
| Come on in, here on the ground floor, we have two bedrooms... | |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |